Trade relations between Africa and the United States have been evolving, bringing about new opportunities and challenges for both regions
Since its enactment in 2000, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has been at the core of U.S. economic policy and commercial engagement with Africa.
AGOA eliminates import duties on more than 6,000 products. Initially enacted to cover the period 2000 – 2008, the legislation has been extended several times since then. As it stands, the expiration date for AGOA is set for 2025.
Countries seeking eligibility under AGOA must either establish or make consistent progress toward a market-based economy, uphold the rule of law, promote political pluralism, and ensure the right to due process, while also implementing measures to reduce poverty, combat corruption, and safeguard human rights.
Some African countries, such as Uganda and the Central African Republic, faced expulsion from the trade program due to “serious violations” of internationally recognized human rights.
Presently, 32 countries are eligible for AGOA benefits in 2024. Below are the African countries ineligible for U.S. AGOA in 2024:
1.Burkina Faso
Ibrahim Traoré, Président du Burkina Faso
- Exit date: 1 January, 2023.
- U.S. exports – $66 million.
- U.S. imports – $6 million.
2.Burundi
Burundi
- Exit date: 1 January, 2016.
- U.S. exports – $5 million.
- U.S. imports – $8 million.
3.Cameroon
Paul Biya, président
- Exit date: 1 January, 2020.
- U.S. exports – $192 million.
- U.S. imports – $103 million.
4.Central African Republic
Central African president Faustin-Archange Touadera,
- Exit date: 1 January, 2024.
- U.S. exports – $192 million.
- U.S. imports – $103 million.
5.Ethiopia
President Sahle-Work Zewde
- Exit date: 1 January, 2022.
- U.S. exports – $1.1 billion.
- U.S. imports – $718 million.
6.Gabon
Gabon
- Exit date: 1 January, 2024.
- U.S. exports – $133 million.
- U.S. imports – $220 million.
7.Guinea
Col. Mamadi Doumbouya
- Exit date: 1 January, 2022.
- U.S. exports – $120 million.
- U.S. imports – $7 million.
8.Mali
Malian President Assimi Gota’s
- Exit date: 1 January, 2022.
- U.S. exports – $89 million.
- U.S. imports – $5 million.
9.Mauritania
Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani
- Exit date – 1 January, 2019.
- U.S. exports – $154 million.
- U.S. imports – $6 million.
10.Niger
Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani. [Bloomberg]
- Exit date: 1 January, 2024.
- U.S. exports – $96 million.
- U.S. imports – $73 million.
11.South Sudan
President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit
- Exit date: 23 December, 2014.
- U.S. exports – $42 million.
- U.S. imports – $29 thousand.
12.Uganda
Le président Yoweri Museveni
- Exit date: 1 January 2024.
- U.S. exports – $167 million.
- U.S. imports – $174 million.
Source: Business Insider Africa
